The stories from inside North Korea's prison camps are horrifying

VICEThe prison camps of Nazi Germany only existed for 12 years before their remaining survivors were freed following World War II. In the years that followed, many learned of horrifying conditions, torture, and millions murdered by Hitler's regime and people swore never to let it happen again.

But less than a decade later, North Korea established its own system of prison camps where an untold number have died amidst "unspeakable atrocities" comparable to the Nazis, according to a preliminary report from the UN.

"I believe you will be very disturbed and distressed by it and that you will have reaction similar to those of (U.S.) General Eisenhower and the others who came upon the camps in post-war Europe," head investigator Michael Kirby told Reuters.

On Friday, the UN's human rights body agreed to strengthen its ongoing investigation of abuses inside the Hermit Kingdom. That investigation will be used in a "future accountability process" if, someday, the country's leaders are ever held to account.

North Korea has repeatedly denied such reports, and it boycotted the debate on Friday.

But Kim Jong-un cannot hide from satellite imagery and the growing number of escapees who have testified about the regime's abuse.

We have gathered some details from inside along with satellite images, and a set of unconfirmed illustrations supposedly done by a defector that give a hint of the terror inside. Be warned: The following content is disturbing.

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In a country of 25 million people, up to 200,000 have reportedly "disappeared" into brutal concentration camps found throughout the country.

Former prisoners say conditions are so bad that 20 to 25 percent of the prison population dies every year. [NOTE: This is the first of multiple disturbing illustrations supposedly made by a defector who spent time in the prisons.]

Few have ever escaped. That's because anyone who tries, plans, or has knowledge of an escape is executed, and all prisoners are required to watch.

Starvation is common, as prisoners are usually only fed gruel made of cornmeal and cabbage. "We were always hungry, and the guards always told us 'through hunger you will repent,'" Shin said. They often eat rats and insects just to stay alive.

Guards treat prisoners as subhuman, terrorizing and torturing their captives, sometimes just for fun, according to escapees.

The tip of one of Shin's fingers was chopped off as punishment for accidentally breaking a machine while working in a factory.

When he was just 13 years old, Shin was sent to an underground torture center when his mother and older brother were accused of attempting an escape. "They hung me by the ankles and they tortured me with fire."